Figure 1 shows the IP Communications voice/fax network module with one VWIC2-2MFT-T1/E1 and one VIC3-4FXS/DID.

Figure 1. NM-HD-2VE with One VWIC2-2MFT and One VIC3-4FXS/DID

The Cisco IP Communications voice/fax network modules for the Cisco 2800, 2900, 3800, and 3900 Series unified communications routers enable packet voice technologies including VoIP (H.323, Media Gateway Control Protocol [MGCP], and Session Initiation Protocol [SIP]). Cisco Unified Communications solutions provide the means for integrating voice and data within a single network, allowing users to take advantage of services such as IP telephony, integrated services, and toll-bypass while providing an opportunity to improve productivity. By operating on Cisco IOS Software, these solutions incorporate advanced quality-of-service (QoS) features, intelligent network queuing, and standards-based encapsulation, providing efficient direct transport of both voice and fax over IP networks. Cisco IOS Software solutions enable time-sensitive voice traffic to be moved across even low-bandwidth WAN connections with the priority and quality that voice and fax demand. Transporting voice over IP networks continues to provide transport flexibility because IP can be routed across a multitude of WAN technologies (leased lines, Frame Relay, and ATM) along with providing direct connectivity to the desktop.

Figure 2 shows an IP telephony application using Cisco UCM Express and SRST in a business branch.

Figure 2. IP Telephony Application Using Cisco UCM Express and SRST in the Business Branch

The 2900 Series and 3900 Series Integrated Services Routers support Network Modules via an adapter (part number SM-NM-ADPTR).

The Cisco IP Communications voice/fax network modules support either one or two Cisco voice interface cards (VICs) or Cisco voice/WAN interface cards (VWICs) and install into network module slots for the Cisco 2800, 2900, 3800, and 3900 series unified communications routers. The Cisco VICs are daughter cards that install into the network modules and provide the interface to the PSTN and to telephony equipment (PBX, key systems, fax machines, phones). The Cisco VWICs are daughter cards that provide the interface to the PBX, PSTN, and/or WAN.

Cisco IP Communications voice/fax network modules provide the gateway to Cisco Unified Communications for calls to and from the PSTN and the traditional telephony equipment. Users can deploy networks that take advantage of investments in existing telephony equipment while also deploying and integrating IP telephony immediately or in the future. These network modules enable users to operate at any point on the integrated voice, video, and data infrastructure spectrum while incrementally adding connections to both traditional telephony and IP telephony.

Table 1. Cisco Voice/WAN Interface Cards

The 2900 Series and 3900 Series Integrated Services Routers support Network Modules via an adapter (part number SM-NM-ADPTR).

Part Number

Description

Application

NM-HD-1V

1-slot IP communications voice/fax network module.

Supports up to four channels of analog/BRI voice using any supported coder-decoder (codec). (No support for T1/E1 or data WAN.)

NM-HD-2V

2-slot IP communications voice/fax network module.

Supports up to eight channels of analog/BRI voice using medium complexity codec or six channels using any supported codec. (No support for T1/E1 or data WAN)

NM-HD-2VE

2-slot IP communications enhanced voice/fax network module.

Supports analog/BRI/T1/E1 voice and data WAN. Supports up to 48 channels of G.711 codec, 24 channels of medium-complexity codec, or 18 channels of any supported codec. Offers maximum investment protection with support for analog/digital voice and data WAN.

DID port is used to provide off-premises DID connection from central office. Serves only incoming calls from the PSTN. Does not support caller ID in DID mode.

VIC3-2FXS-E/DID

2-port Enhanced FXS/DID voice/fax interface card.

FXS port is used to connect directly to phones, fax machines, and key systems. Generates battery polarity reversal and caller ID. VIC3-2FXS-E/DID is designated as an "Off-Premise Extension Lite" product offering. This means that while the module addresses a subset of the off-premise extension applications, it should be noted that the module is not in full compliance for off-premise usage.

DID port is used to provide off-premises DID connection from central office. Serves only incoming calls from the PSTN. Does not support caller ID in DID mode.

FXO port is used to connect to PBX or key system, or to provide off-premises connections to PSTN or PTT. Supports battery reversal detection and caller ID. These Cisco VICs can be software configured to work in all countries. Also used to connect to analog CAMA trunk to provide dedicated E-911 service (North America only)

FXO port is used to connect to PBX or key system, or to provide off-premises connections to PSTN or PTT. Supports battery reversal detection and caller ID. These Cisco VICs can be software configured to work in all countries. Also used to connect to analog CAMA trunk to provide dedicated E-911 service (North America only)

Used to connect as network side or user side to PBX or key system as off-premises connections (ISDN voice BRI). Supports patent-pending flexible Layer 2 and Layer 3 configurations.

VWIC2-1MFT-T1/E1

1-Port T1/E1 Multiflex Trunk Voice/WAN Interface Card

Used to connect to PBX, PSTN, or WAN using T1/E1 standard interface and provide channel drop-and-insert capability.

VWIC2-2MFT-T1/E1

2-Port T1/E1 Multiflex Trunk Voice/WAN Interface Card

Used to connect to PBX, PSTN, or WAN using T1/E1 standard interface and provide channel drop-and-insert capability.

VWIC2-1MFT-G703

1-Port G.703 Multiflex Trunk Voice/WAN Interface Card

Used to support unstructured E1 (G.703) and all features of the other Cisco MFT VWIC2 modules, including drop-and-insert.

VWIC2-2MFT-G703

2-Port G.703 Multiflex Trunk Voice/WAN Interface Card

Used to support unstructured E1 (G.703) and all features of the other Cisco MFT VWIC2 modules, including drop-and-insert. Additional flexibility is provided on the two port module with the capability to configure one port for unstructured E1 (G.703) while configuring the other for standard framed E1.

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Silence Suppression, Voice Activity Detection (VAD)-Bandwidth is used only when someone is speaking. During silent periods of a phone call, bandwidth is available for data traffic.

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Comfort Noise Generation-This feature reassures the phone user that the connection is being maintained, even when no voice packets are being transmitted

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Private Line Automatic Ring-Down (PLAR)-Provides a direct connection to another digital or analog voice port by lifting a telephone handset on one end. Includes "Trader Turret" PLAR

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Local/Advanced Voice Busy-Out-Automatically busies out any desired voice trunk line to a PBX or PSTN when a direct WAN or LAN connection to the router or any part of the network to the destination port is down

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Hunt Groups Across Cards-Calls can be forwarded automatically to the first available line

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Integrated Add and Drop Multiplexer (Drop and Insert)-Performs add and drop multiplexing for voice within a dual-port voice network module. Eliminates the requirement, maintenance, support, and expense of using an external add and drop multiplexer.

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Channel Bank-Supports the conversion of analog voice ports into digital voice traffic using DS-0 channels on a T1 or E1 interface (only supported on NM-HD-2VE)

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ISDN BRI Network Side and Phantom Power-The VIC2-2BRI-NT/TE provides the ability to connect a PBX or PABX configured as user side directly to the router. Also provides phantom power to accommodate equipment that requires it

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Channel Capacity-Supports up to 48 voice channels. See network module specifications below for further details.

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Flexible DSP Architecture-There is no need to specify codec complexity at configuration. An appropriate codec is dynamically selected when a call is established, while allocating DSP resources optimally.

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Feature Upgrades-The DSP architecture allows for addition of new features through simple code updates.

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